The reading examined the transition from biomass to charcoal and ultimately to liquid fuel. The biomass era relied heavily on charcoal, wood and crop residues for fuel. Unlike biomass fuel, the coal era introduced more efficient fuels, which ultimately led to the invention of the first mechanical engines. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayThere are various reasons for our dependence on fuel. We need fuel for agriculture, for transportation, and to cool our homes in cold weather. With the introduction of crude oil replacing charcoal in many places, modern life and industrialization have constantly been shaped and accelerated by crude oil and other components derived from it. Crude oil not only increased productivity, but it may also have accelerated globalization. The extraction of crude oil is very important as it has changed the economic fortunes of many countries. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and others have only become rich through their extraction and sale of crude oil. As we ride in the euphoria of what the discovery of crude oil has brought us in terms of development and foreign exchange, it is also important to look at the other side of this blessing. The environmental consequences of crude oil extraction appear to be greater. as his blessings. Marine oil pollution, photochemical smog, anthropogenic greenhouse gases, and economic and political instabilities are some of the impacts of crude oil extraction. I believe the author was very clear in his arguments. Crude oil extraction has brought the world wealth and happiness, but it comes at the cost of environmental degradation. The Alaska oil spill mentioned in the reading got me thinking about the Ogoni oil spill in southwest Nigeria. The oil spill destroyed almost all the marine life in that particular region and made people unemployed due to loss of livelihood. When the Ogoni think of crude oil, I think they see it as more of a curse than a blessing because of the environmental damage it has inflicted on them. Although oil is capable of starting engines and moving heavy machinery, it is also capable of destroying people's livelihoods and posing an existential threat to sea creatures. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.Get a custom essayPolitical instabilities in countries like South Sudan and Libya have been linked to the extraction and sale of crude oil that has only enriched some of the population while leaving the majority poor. The evolution of fuels has occurred at a very rapid pace, from wood to coal and liquid fuels. I think we need to put the environmental impact of liquefied fuel into perspective, as this would guide us to find alternative ways to power our machines without destroying our environment. With better investment and research into renewable energy such as solar and wind, the world could perhaps save the planet from further environmental damage and preserve the environment for generations to come..